The penultimate day of IEM Katowice is finally underway and brings us two huge Semi-Finals. To find our first Grand Finalist, the intense Bo3-series between Natus Vincere and G2 kicked off. As expected, when you put so many world-class players up against each other, it was an intense affair with nothing but entertainment from start to finish. Despite this, however, it was also a Bo3-series that was finished in just two maps. After a great start from G2, it seemed as if the giant of NaVi had finally been woken up. Instead, it was G2 to carry on with their confident play from Inferno and ultimately put a nail in NaVi’s coffin. Due to stellar performances from key G2 players, including the 16-year-old superstar “m0NESY”, it was G2 to claim a 2-0 victory that sees them advance to the Grand Finals of IEM Katowice 2022. They will face either Heroic or FaZe in an exciting trophy brawl tomorrow.
The first map of the Semi-Final was to be played on Inferno and was chosen by G2. It was also the star-studded G2 to start the strongest. A clinical offense, led by Finish IGL “Aleksib” put Natus Vincere on their back foot from early on. Abusing a lackluster B-defense and a “Boombl4” that kept getting caught off guard, G2 created an early 6-1 lead for themselves. Thanks to a stellar performance from “s1mple”, NaVi managed to make it somewhat respectable at 10-5, before switching sides. The second half saw NaVi trying to catch up with G2 and whilst it was a more cohesive NaVi in the second half it was a little too late. At the scoreline of 16-12, it was G2 to walk away from Inferno with a map-advantage.
The second map of the Bo3-series was set to be played on Mirage and was, of course, picked by NaVi. After what was a great performance from “s1mple” on Inferno, the prospect of Mirage seemed a promising one for the CIS giants, due to the known impact an AWP’er can have on the map. Whilst “s1mple” was once again leading the NaVi show, his opponent in “m0NESY” also stepped up to the plate and was equally as impactful for his team. A more cohesive G2 roster got the better of NaVi in the first half of Mirage and managed an 11-4 lead going into the second half. NaVi’s CT-side, however, was an entirely different story. With “s1mple” continuing his great performance and “Boombl4” clutching some dire rounds, the CIS boys tied things up at 11-11. Going back and forth it was as close as possible between G2 and NaVi until the final rounds of Mirage. Ultimately it was NaVi to see their impressive comeback attempt denied, as G2 took home the Bo3-series with a 16-13 victory on Mirage.
Highlight of the BO3-series
G2 – NaVi (2-0) | IEM Katowice 2022 (Semi-Finals)
16-12 (Inferno) | {cflag:UA} s1mple – 1.25 Rating / 22-15 K-D / 74.5 ADR
16-13 (Mirage) | {cflag:BA} huNter- – 1.58 Rating / 32-20 K-D / 106.7 ADR
MVP: {cflag:BA} Nemanja ”huNter-” Kovač – 1.26 Rating / 47-34 K-D / 81.2 ADR
